Tucked between Orange County’s theme parks and Los Angeles’ star spotlight, Long Beach can be overlooked when there’s not a Grand Prix in town. That’s a boon for locals who can enjoy easy access to metropolitan amenities without sacrificing the friendly, know-your-neighbor attitude that Long Beach is known for. Of course, Long Beach has always been a worthy Southern California destination.
Parked in the city’s bustling port is the Queen Mary, a nearly century-old ocean liner that’s since transformed into a tourist attraction with restaurants, shopping and overnight suites. Just across the bay sits the largest aquarium in the state, where you can eat a sustainably sourced fish taco with a view of the seal and sea lion exhibit. Yet too many visitors stick to the port city’s shoreline attractions, leaving whole neighborhoods unexplored.
On the Eastside, for instance, a thriving enclave is home to the largest Cambodian community outside of Cambodia. Recently, it’s the local culinary scene that’s attracting outside interest. Take Gusto Bread , an artisanal panadería that opened on Retro Row in 2020 and was named a finalist in the Outstanding Bakery category of the 2024 James Beard Foundation awards.
Or Heritage restaurant, which became the city’s first Michelin-starred establishment in 2023, an honor it retained at this year’s awards ceremony. Something is changing in the food scene here: Quietly, Long Beach has transformed into a densely concentrated dinin.